DUANA, MYLA 11223979 HUMAART V27

For my final paper, I decided to focus on the book cover of one of my most favorite books. Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka is a literary piece that is very near and dear to my heart. Before I summarize the story of Gregor Samsa, I will explain the book cover using the steps Ms. Pacis gave so that unraveling the meaning behind the lone figure will be more exciting. First, I will identify the object/s in the work of art. Secondly, I will enumerate the elements and principles of design. Then, I will describe the context in which the work of art was made and further delve into the symbolisms behind the object/s in the cover art. Lastly, I will answer the question Is it good or bad art? which I can say right now that it is good art. This book cover is very simple yet it speaks volume to me. The only objects seen are: the words KAFKA (which is the last name of the author), The Metamorphosis (which is the title of the book) and a figure of an abstract hybrid. A work of art need not be complex and colorful in order to be significant. This is just one figure but it is rich with a deeper meaning. Its minimalist take on the book help the people who see it be more intrigued and be more inclined to read it. Taking its face value, I can see a human skull screwed to an insects body. Counting the insects legs, I noticed that there are four legs connected to the body which is different from the normal insects number of legs which is six. (See picture of normal insect skeleton) There are wings connected to the body as proved by the delicate pair of wings that is full of lines. The metallic pair, on the other hand, looks like a screw lock used to hold the head and the body together. The figure looks like something out of a very old anatomy or entomology book. For the visual elements of design, the usual elements are present including: line which is copiously used to accentuate the wings, the insects body and legs; color which, considering the figure only, is black and white but is contrasted with the beige background; for texture, the smooth paper texture of the book plus the shiny hardness of the skull, the metallic screw and lock, and the delicate fragility of the insects body; the shape is a 2-dimensional with no form or thickness. It is organic. For space - the figure occupies the most space and is placed, with all of the objects including the text, in the middle. For value, the degree of light and dark in the artwork is more on the lighter side than on the dark side. The light can also be seen shining down

from above or from the upper right corner that is why the skulls left cheek seems to be darker and the forehead more illuminated. For the principles of design: The proportion of the head to the insects body is the same (this is not the norm). The legs of insects are also usually of the same size but it is not in this book cover. The upper legs are smaller than the lower pair of legs possibly resembling human hands and feet. The focal point is, of course, the human-insect hybrid because it is placed in the middle and it takes up the most space. It is also highlighted because of the use of the colors black and white which shows that the artist used contrast. Although there is no movement and rhythm in this book cover, we can still see unity and harmony as the different objects come together to form its proposed meaning. There is also symmetric balance as the figure is the same on each side. For the context of the book, it was published in 1915 by Franz Kafka in Austria. In my opinion, I consider this book as Franz Kafkas magnum opus because he has successfully portrayed the themes often connected to his works which are the feelings of isolation and alienation. This book was published during the height of many innovations in literature and during which different literary point of views was explored (this was also around the time females were given an opinionated voice in literature thanks to Virginia Woolf). The book follows the story of Gregor Samsa, a twenty-something travelling salesman who is also the bread winner for his family. He woke up one day as a dung-beetle (one of the lowest and dirtiest forms of insects, similar to a cockroach) and the story starts from there. As the story continues, the readers notice how Gregor Samsas human mind evolves and how others around him react. The readers also feel compassion towards the end because Gregor Samsa retains his humanity even though his family has forsaken him and think of him only as a pest that needs to be exterminated. It shows isolation and how he was unable to communicate what was inside his mind due to his exterior. In the end, Gregor Samsa died as a dung beetle due to starvation and an infection from the apple his father threw at him. Another intriguing thing about this work is that the author, Franz Kafka, never bothered explaining the cause of Gregor Samsas metamorphosis. Rumor has it that it was only Franz Kafka trying to explain the isolation he felt from suffering from insomnia but they all just remained rumors, along with many different theories on the cause of Gregor Samsas transformation.

The meaning of the figure after learning about the context of the book is very clear. The hybrid is Gregor Samsa. The skull symbolizes his mind and how he was able to keep his humanity. It shows how he still retained his feelings and how he thought only of how he could help his family survive, especially with him being unable to provide for them in such a state. The insects body symbolizes his exterior. How he woke up one morning, totally randomly as a humungous dung-beetle. The body represents how he was ostracized by his family leaving him with no choice but to live the remaining days of his life hidden in his bedroom. The arms and legs proportionate to that of a humans represent how his mind could still control his body. There was one instance in the book where he tried to go out because he wanted to help his sister. Even with these noble intentions, he did more damage than good when his sister freaked out at the sight of him and his family attacked him. The reason why book covers always intrigue me is because when you look at it before reading the book; you take it as it is. But then, once you absorb every detail inside the book, you look at the cover from a whole new perspective. I believe this is good art because the anonymous artist who posted this online successfully encapsulated Gregor Samsa. He/She was able to summarize the book without giving anything away and using only the most basic symbols. It is minimalist but then covered with layers of meaning that can only be unraveled through reading the book. Whoever made this unofficial book cover must be known to the publishers because I find the current book cover being used very misleading and uninteresting.

Side note: Thank you so much for this term, miss!!! I really had fun in your class Hope to be your student in another subject next time! God Bless

References: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/227924431112880163/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Franz_Kafka#Stories http://teachersnetwork.org/dcs/math/bugweb/project.htm